Baru Bian re-elected as PKR Sarawak chairman

KUCHING: Works Minister Baru Bian has been re-elected as the state chairman of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR), the party announced tonight.

The Selangau MP and Ba’Kelalan assemblyman retained the position which he has held since 2009 after a meeting between PKR president Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and other party members on Dec 14.

Miri MP Dr Michael Teo Yu Keng was one of those who offered himself as a contender to the post. Teo could be seen greeting Anwar as he arrived in town on Friday, prompting speculation that he could be the next state chairman.

Baru, who was not in attendance, was away at a prior engagement in Lawas. It was learned that he cast his vote remotely.

A source who declined to be named revealed that 22 out of 29 voters confirmed they had voted for Baru, whose renewed term will continue until 2021.

“We were able to verify each vote via witnesses who sighted how each other voted,” the source said.

In Pahang, PKR vice-president and Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh was elected the state’s chairperson.

Other committee members for each state would be announced soon, the statement concluded.